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   The Hill City/Northland Storm opened Section Tournament play on Monday, May 18, with a dominant 15-0 victory over Walker-Hackensack-Ackley (WHA). The Storm’s offense came alive early and continued to produce throughout the game while the defense and pitching combination kept WHA off the scoreboard.

   Against WHA, Avery Ruyak reached base multiple times and scored three runs, while Hailey Barnes, Pearl Johnson and Charity Berg each contributed hits. Jasmine Kingsley and Savanna Holm also crossed the plate as the Storm rolled to the shutout victory.

   The Storm then continued play against Nevis and battled throughout the contest but fell 3-5, sending the team into the consolation bracket.

   Ruyak continued her strong tournament with a pair of hits and two runs scored. Johnson added a hit and scored a run, while Berg and Maddie Barnes also reached base during the contest.

   The loss sent HCN to Blackduck on Thursday, May 21, where the Storm faced Pine River-Backus in an elimination game.

HCN kept its season alive with a 6-2 victory over Pine River-Backus. Ruyak and H. Barnes each scored a run, while Berg collected a hit and drove in a run. Kingsley, Holm and M. Barnes also reached base and scored during the win.

   The victory advanced the Storm to a second elimination game later that day against Kelliher/Northome. HCN battled until the final out but came up just short in a 2-3 loss to end its season.

   Ruyak scored a run and collected a hit for the Storm. H. Barnes added a hit and run scored, while Berg and M. Barnes also reached base as HCN nearly extended its season.

While the season ended earlier than the team had hoped, first-year head coach Roger Thorson was pleased with the progress his team made throughout the year.

   “It was a good season. I really enjoyed working with the girls and watching them grow,” Thorson said. “As a first-year coach it was a learning year. We had a good year and the girls played hard and never gave up in any of the games, even the loss to Swanville the girls battled to the end.”

   Thorson believes both he and the team gained valuable experience that will benefit the program moving forward. “Looking forward to next year, with a year under my belt I see what I need to improve on. There is a lot of talent with our younger girls and they will be fun to watch grow.”

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